LACON — So what’s the difference between monster trucks and mega trucks?

Specimens of each will offer a chance to sort that question out over the next two weekends as the Marshall County Sand Trap hosts the premier events of its second season.

The Monster Truck Throwdown will return this Saturday and Sunday with more trucks and two shows rather than one, and that will be followed the next Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2, by the inaugural Midwest Mega Truck Mayhem.

The monster truck weekend, which will feature eight vehicles compared to last year’s five and also other events through each day, figures to attract a crowd approaching twice the population of Lacon’s roughly 2,000 people, track owner Dan Smith estimated.

“I’m kind of anticipating 3,000 to 4,000,” Smith said. “This will be the largest outdoor monster truck show in the state of Illinois.”

And while the next weekend might be harder to gauge as a first-time event, Smith said he wouldn’t be surprised to see an even bigger turnout.

“There’s really not much here in the Midwest as far as a major mega truck event,” Smith said. “I’ve got 16 signed up and guaranteed so far, and I’m anticipating up to 30.”

There are structural differences in the two types of trucks and their activities, Smith said. But other key differences involve the participants and the way the events are organized.

The monster trucks are basically part of a packaged show in which their competition entertains fans but doesn’t directly affect driver winnings, Smith noted. The mega trucks are typically owned by individual customizers who will compete for purse money paying the winner $3,000 and three others $2,000, $1,000, and $500.

“Four of those guys will take money home,” he said. “The rest will be eating a hot dog on the way home.”

Saturday’s monster truck show will be at 6 p.m., followed by a Joe Stamm Band concert, while Sunday’s will start at 4 p.m. and last about an hour longer. Both days will include mud bog racing for regular track competitors in the morning and stunt motorcycle shows in the afternoon.

The mega truck weekend will feature those vehicles vying in various events, such as a tug-of-war, as well as “freestyle” competition on the same special course built for the monster trucks. There will be a concert that Friday night by Moccasin Creek.

Some monster trucks are expected to start arriving Thursday afternoon, when the track will be rebuilt for that show, Smith said. The grounds will be open for anyone who wants to see the trucks or watch that process.

The track has a concession stand, and a beer tent will be operated as a fundraiser by the Marshall County Old Settlers Association this weekend and by Crusaders for Kids the next. For more information, see mcsandtrap.com or call 363-2605.

Gary L. Smith can be reached at (800) 516-0389 or glsmith@mtco.com. Read his Northern Circuit blog at pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Glsmithx.